Throwing Knife
Yangere / Southern Gbaya / Makaa, Central African Republic
Forged iron, vegetable fiber
Early 20th century

These pieces were used primarily as throwing knives, and also sometimes attached to the end of a rope and swung around before being released to increase their velocity. This description alludes to why so many examples of this type exist today without their handles or their spurs. Long after the times of tribal warfare had ended, many family heads among these tribes still kept and treasured throwing knives as precious family heirlooms, regarding them with "a sort of religious awe" (Westerdijk, The African Throwing Knife, 1988).

Based on the handle, this example most likely comes from the Yangere, and is still in excellent condition, although exhibiting signs of use and age.

13.5 in :: 34 cm

InventoryID #13-968

SOLD